The purpose of the VHC Explorer program is to introduce interested young persons to the nature and responsibilities of the emergency services by both formal and informal experiences across the broad range of duties of First Responders:
FIRE SUPPRESSION: Firefighter orientation & safety practices, fire behavior, building construction, firefighter personal protective equipment, portable fire extinguishers, rescue, vehicle extrication, fire prevention, public fire education, ropes & knots, forcible entry, ground ladders, aerial ops, ventilation, water supply, fire hose, fire streams, fire control, emergency management, loss control, fire cause determination, radio communications, incident command systems, widland incidents, standard operating procedures, fire detection & alarm systems, fire alarm systems, natural gas leaks, smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, etc.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: The role of emergency medical technicians & paramedics, ambulance & helicopter operations, patient assessment, vital signs, lifting & moving patients, airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, general pharmacology, respiratory emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, automated defibrillation, altered mental status, allergic reactions, poisoning/overdose, diabetes, environmental emergencies, behavioral emergencies, pre-hospital childbirth, bleeding & shock, soft tissue injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, head/kneck/spine injuries, pediatric emergencies, etc.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY PREVENTION: One of VHC's most important services, including learning about the full range of prevention initiatives available to help educate individuals and businesses about how to be safe at home, work, school and play.
LARGE SCALE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Given that First Responders play key roles during and following catastrophic events, they also play key roles prior to such events via planning for region-wide events of major consequences too. Knowing in advance how to work effectively with a broad range of agencies and organizations is critical - it's where preparation meets opportunity. Learning about how to be prepared to accomplish successful mitigation measures needed during disasters and region-wide emergencies from an all-hazards/all-risk perspective is the key to assuring the best possible outcome.
